Ruiru Sparmall Second flour | info@gredo-kenya.org | +254 715 573734
Mental Health Awareness
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS)
Breaking the Silence, Supporting Emotional Well-being and Resilience
GREDO is committed to breaking the silence around mental health and supporting the emotional well-being and resilience of vulnerable communities in Kenya, with a strong focus on refugees. Displacement, conflict, and uncertainty expose young people to immense psychological stress and trauma, making mental health support a critical part of humanitarian response.
Through our MHPSS program, we use a five‑pillar, recreation‑based approach designed to bring children and youth together, relieve stress, and help them process trauma in safe and supportive environments. The program specifically targets adolescents and young people aged 10–24 years, including refugees affected by conflict, survivors of gender‑based violence, street children, and youth living with disabilities. By combining child protection and non‑formal education, we help participants build self‑esteem, cope with challenges, and express themselves in non‑violent ways that strengthen social cohesion.
Safe spaces are central to our work. Equipped with resources for art, music, drama, and sports, these centers provide environments where refugee youth feel accepted, supported, and free to explore new skills while having fun. Trained mentors and coaches guide participants through activities that promote resilience, self‑regulation, and confidence, while also connecting them to broader community support networks.
By integrating play, recreation, and psychosocial care, GREDO empowers refugee youth to manage stress, strengthen coping skills, and build meaningful relationships. Our vision is to create communities where mental health is prioritized, stigma is reduced, and every young person especially those displaced by conflict has the opportunity to thrive.
Five Pillars of wellbeing
1. Creation of safe spaces
GREDO recognizes that healing and resilience flourish in environments where people feel safe, supported, and valued. For refugees and vulnerable youth in Kenya, the creation of safe spaces is at the heart of our Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS).
These safe spaces are designed to provide protection, acceptance, and opportunities for growth. Equipped with resources for art, music, drama, and sports, they allow adolescents and young people aged 10–24 years to express themselves freely, build confidence, and discover new skills. Beyond recreation, these spaces serve as hubs of psychosocial care where trained mentors and coaches guide participants through activities that promote resilience, self-regulation, and emotional well-being.
For refugee youth, safe spaces are more than physical shelters they are places of belonging. They offer a supportive environment where trauma can be processed, stigma is reduced, and social cohesion is strengthened. By fostering trust and community, these spaces empower young people to cope with challenges, form meaningful relationships, and envision brighter futures.
Through the creation of safe spaces, GREDO ensures that mental health is prioritized and that every young person especially those displaced by conflict has the opportunity to thrive in dignity and hope.
2. Caring and connection
GREDO believes that healing and resilience are built through relationships of trust, compassion, and support. For refugee adolescents and youth in Kenya, caring connections are at the heart of our Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS).
Through mentorship, peer support, and community engagement, we create opportunities for young people aged 10–24 years to form bonds that strengthen their emotional well-being. Trained mentors and coaches guide participants in recreational and psychosocial activities, helping them build confidence, self-regulation, and coping skills. Peer groups and safe spaces allow youth to share experiences, reduce isolation, and encourage one another in overcoming challenges.
Family and community involvement is equally important. By engaging parents, caregivers, and local leaders, we reinforce protective environments that nurture resilience and reduce stigma around mental health. Activities such as art, music, drama, and sports bring young people together across diverse backgrounds, fostering inclusion and social cohesion.
For refugee youth, caring connections provide more than companionship—they are lifelines of hope. They help young people process trauma, rebuild trust, and envision brighter futures. By prioritizing these relationships, GREDO ensures that every young person has the support they need to thrive in dignity and belonging
3. Play, Fun and Challenging new Tasks
At GREDO, we believe that play and fun are powerful tools for healing and resilience. For refugee adolescents and youth in Kenya, engaging in recreational activities is not just about enjoyment it is a pathway to emotional recovery, self-discovery, and social connection.
Through our Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS), we create safe spaces where young people aged 10–24 years can participate in games, sports, art, music, and drama. These activities relieve stress, encourage creativity, and provide opportunities to build friendships across diverse backgrounds. Play fosters laughter and joy, which are essential for restoring hope and reducing the weight of trauma.
Equally important are challenging new tasks that inspire growth and confidence. By introducing skill-building exercises, leadership opportunities, and creative projects, we help youth step outside their comfort zones and discover their potential. These challenges strengthen resilience, promote problem-solving, and nurture a sense of accomplishment that empowers young people to face life’s difficulties with courage.
For refugee youth, play and challenging tasks are more than activities they are lifelines of healing. They provide structure, belonging, and opportunities to thrive in environments where uncertainty often dominates. By integrating fun with purposeful challenges, GREDO ensures that every young person has the chance to grow stronger, more resilient
4. Coping and self-regulation skills
GREDO understands that refugee adolescents and youth often face overwhelming stress, trauma, and uncertainty. Helping them develop coping and self-regulation skills is a vital part of our Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS). These skills enable young people to manage emotions, respond to challenges constructively, and build resilience for the future.
In our safe spaces, youth aged 10–24 years are guided through activities that strengthen their ability to cope with adversity. Recreational programs such as sports, art, music, and drama provide healthy outlets for expression, while structured exercises teach techniques for calming the mind, managing anger, and reducing anxiety. Mentors and coaches encourage participants to recognize their emotions, practice mindfulness, and develop problem-solving strategies that help them navigate daily life.
By combining play, peer support, and psychosocial care, GREDO empowers refugee youth to regulate their emotions, build confidence, and avoid harmful coping mechanisms. These skills not only improve individual well-being but also foster stronger, more cohesive communities.
Our vision is to ensure that every young person especially those displaced by conflict has the tools to cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and thrive with dignity and hope.
5. Connection to other support networks
GREDO recognizes that healing and resilience cannot happen in isolation. For refugee adolescents and youth in Kenya, connecting to broader support networks is essential to sustaining mental health and psychosocial well-being. Our MHPSS program ensures that young people aged 10–24 years are not only supported within safe spaces but are also linked to families, communities, and specialized services that strengthen their recovery.
Through mentorship and peer groups, participants are guided toward community-based resources such as child protection services, education programs, and health facilities. Survivors of gender-based violence and youth living with disabilities are connected to specialized care providers who can address their unique needs. By engaging parents, caregivers, and local leaders, we reinforce protective environments that nurture resilience and reduce stigma around mental health.
These connections extend beyond immediate care. Partnerships with schools, local organizations, and humanitarian agencies create pathways for young people to access education, vocational training, and livelihood opportunities. This holistic approach ensures that refugee youth are not left behind but are integrated into networks that promote dignity, inclusion, and long-term stability.
For GREDO, connection to other support networks is more than referral it is about weaving a safety net of relationships and services that empower young people to thrive. By linking safe spaces to wider community structures, we ensure that every refugee youth has access to the care, opportunities, and support they need to build hopeful futures.
Coping and self-regulation skills
Participants are helped to learn and master self-regulation skills, and provided with an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings, to set and work towards shared goals, and to practice and master intentional self-regulation behaviors/techniques they can use at and away from the program. Our ability to manage our thoughts and feelings, and work towards the goals we set) is an essential part of child and adolescent development. When we play, we unconsciously manage our thoughts and feelings and work towards goals.